Hearts had been taught an Italian lesson by Fiorentina at Tynecastle within the Europa Convention League.
The Jambos misplaced 3-0 in Group A, with Rolando Mandragora, Christian Kouame and Luka Jovic scoring for the Serie A outfit. Robbie Neilson ’s aspect had been lowered to 10 males after 48 minutes when defender Lewis Neilson was despatched off for a last-man tug on Jovic. The defeat leaves Hearts third within the group, a degree behind the Italians and one forward of Latvian minnows RFS - earlier than a frightening journey to Florence subsequent week.
Vincenzo Italiano’s workforce collected their first three factors of the season in Edinburgh and the sport was over by half-time. With simply 4 minutes on the clock, Mandragon waltzed into the field unchallenged and headed house Aleksa Terzic’s cross.It was a poor purpose for Hearts to lose so early within the match and it gave them a mountain to climb.
Jovic headed over from a nook and Craig Gordon - 20 years after his Jambos debut - stored it at 1-0 with a terrific fingertip save from Igor. However he may do little to stop Kouame from making it 2-0 earlier than the interval.
As maroon shirts stood nonetheless, he buried a volley previous Gordon from shut vary. In first half damage time, Josh Ginnelly had Hearts’ greatest likelihood however Fiorentina ‘keeper Pierluigi Gollini saved along with his legs.
Hearts ’ process was made even harder with Neilson’s crimson card. Former Actual Madrid striker Jovic regarded offside from an extended punt up the pitch however he obtained in behind the younger centre-back who pulled his shirt.
Belgian ref Erik Lambrechts had no hesitation and despatched him packing, which successfully ended the house aspect’s hopes of getting again into the sport. Sub Nathaniel Atkinson had a half-chance to make it 2-1 however fired over.
And after Gordon had saved from Jovic at his close to publish, the Serbian lastly obtained his purpose. Fiorentina had been lethal on the counter-attack as Hearts had been lower open to go away him with a tap-in.
3 speaking factors
Maroon misses
Hearts are lacking two key defenders and it’s costing them huge time proper now. Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles won't be superstars however they're enormous gamers for Robbie Neilson.
With out each of them, their back-line seems severely dis-jointed and missing in resilience. Don’t neglect, they’re additionally with out midfield anchor Beni Baningime, who presents safety. And if you’re quick at this degree, groups of Fiorentina’s high quality are at all times going to punish you.
The warning indicators had been there in opposition to Rangers final week after they shipped 4 and it was the same story final evening. Younger Lewis Neilson has actual potential and is one for the long run. However he confirmed right here that he’s not able to be a pacesetter within the Jambos’ rearguard, which the likes of Halkett is.
The primary purpose final evening was the proper instance. No-one within the again 5 took duty to select up Mandragora who strolled in unmarked to go house the opening purpose.
The second wasn’t significantly better as maroon jerseys stood again admiring Kouame as he struck a volley previous Craig Gordon. When Neilson obtained caught on the incorrect aspect of Jovic early within the second half and tugged his shirt for a crimson card - it topped off a defensive catastrophe for Neilson’s males.
Gordon the Nice
It was 20 years in the past to the day that Craig Gordon made his Hearts debut and final evening he skippered the membership on a giant European evening. It should have been a proud second for the Scotland keeper who, regardless of the end result, nonetheless confirmed his class.
Gordon produced a superb save within the first half to disclaim Igor along with his fingertips and preserve his aspect in it. And simply earlier than the break he was at it once more when he thwarted Mandragon on the close to publish. Following on from Allan McGregor’s marvel present for Rangers at Anfield on Tuesday evening, Gordon confirmed at 40 that age is simply a quantity.
He had little likelihood with Fiorentina’s objectives and should have felt let down at instances by a weak back-line in entrance of him. The veteran reveals no indicators of letting up for membership and nation and he’ll be essential for Robbie Neilson’s aspect within the Florence return fixture subsequent week.
The massive fear for Hearts and Scotland is, who will change him when he ultimately does name it a day? Proper now, that’s not even value interested by.
Jovic Luka good
Luka Jovic won't have fulfilled his potential but however at instances final evening you may see why Actual Madrid as soon as paid £60 million for him. The Serbian striker scored 10 objectives in a single Europa League season for Eintracht Frankfurt three seasons in the past so has correct pedigree.
And at Tynecastle, a makeshift Hearts defence couldn’t deal with him. The previous Purple Star Belgrade and Benfica hit-man was a continuing menace to the Jambos’ backline along with his intelligent motion and intuition in entrance of purpose.
He flashed a header simply over the bar from a nook as a marker. However he wasn’t to be denied within the second half. He examined Craig Gordon with a shot at his close to publish which the Scotland keeper managed to maintain out.
However when Fiorentina hit the house aspect on the counter-attack to seize a 3rd purpose, Jovic was on the tip of it. His strike was a easy tap-in from shut vary however the likes of Lewis Neilson and Stephen Kingsley discovered it robust in opposition to the 24-year-old.
He can look stroppy at instances when issues don’t go his means. However he’s a mercurial expertise who can be a serious menace in Florence subsequent week.